H 



BF 1301 
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Copy 1 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Chap. Copyright No. 

ShelI.__H£l3M 
r^2.?- 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



GREY a LADYE 

BY HERSELF, 



PRICE^30o«CENTS. 






Sai,em, Ohio : 
Chas. M. Day, Book and Job Printer. 
236 Bi^ifSwoRTH Street. 



THE GREY LADYE. 



BY 
HERSELF. 






1896. " 

Press of Chas. M. Day, 

Sai,em, Ohio- 



i'7i>£ 



-2- 



*,o\ 



^\> 



Copyrighted 1896 

BY 

MRS. ELIZABETH H. MACE, fr^^ 

8 Lienan Place, 

Jersey City Heights, N. j. 

All rights reserved. 



I dedicate this story to the great middle class, the intel- 
ligent toilers of the land, the children of Israel. 

Thk Grey Ladyk. 



Copies of this book will be sent by mail, postpaid, upon 
receipt of price, 30 cents each. Address 

Mrs. Elizabeth H. Mace, 

8 Lienan Place, 
Jersey City Heights, N. J. 



The Grey Ladye* 



CHAPTER I. 

INVISIBLE to the eyes of mortals, yet an active member 
of the family who were my nearest kin during my mor- 
tal life; in one sense dead, but only so as to the perish- 
able body I once wore, I am as much alive and leading just 
as useful a life as those still clothed in the garb of mortality. 
Many times my heart has ached over the sufferings which 
mortals are compelled to endure, unknown and unsuspected 
by the outer world. I go into many homes, but find little 
real happiness. I enter the habitations of the poor and see 
grim want staring me in the face. This is a frequent cause 
of people losing various articles. Many are drawn to com- 
mit crime through lack of the actual necessaries of life. I 
visit the abodes of the rich, and although society is supposed 
by the majority to be the acme of perfect happiness, it is 
but seldom that it can be found there. There are sore 
hearts beating under silks and laces, and under evening 
suits, which are carefully hidden from the gaze of the out- 
side world. Men and women alike, of times carry aching 
hearts and would rather die of grief than permit their suf- 
ferings to become known. Jealousy is a frequent cause of 
this unhappy state of affairs, and it affects the high and low, 
rich and poor alike. It brings about, many a wretched mar- 



8 THE GREY LAD YE. 

riage. Men and women, smarting under its pangs, rush 
into unions with others than those whom they have learned 
to love. Seldom indeed does happiness follow, although in 
some cases I have seen contentment take its place and peace 
reign in the household. More frequentty the reverse is the 
result, and a life with an unloved partner brings neither 
happiness nor even content. The danger lies in the possi- 
bility of loving another; and snch, in many instances, proves 
to be the case. Sad eyes and sorrowful hearts meet me in 
almost every home and in all the walks of life. I travel 
whithersoever I will and there is no one to object or say me 
nay. In my grey garb of peace and silence I wander among 
the abodes of all classes, and where do you think I find the 
most suffering and patient endurance of sorrow, privation 
and struggle in order to keep the wolf from the door and 
retain a respectable position among friends and associates? 

There is a class of people who are the real bone and 
sinew of civilization. Were it not for these people of the 
working or middle class society would find no footing. 
They are the prop and stay of all God's earth. They in- 
vent, they manufacture, they struggle and toil. Some few 
reach a position where, after a few years, they may rest 
from their labors with a well earned competence; but many 
go down in the struggle, with, no helping hand to save. 
They have fought through the fierce fight — again and again 
they have been beaten down. It sometimes seems to these 
that the powers of hades are leagued against their most 
earnest efforts, and in many cases they die from their very 
struggles to maintain life. 

In many respects human beings are not unlike the 
animals. I have seen the stronger endeavor to down the 
weaker, figuratively, just as do certain beasts. It is a trait 
which man has inherited from the lower orders of life out of 



THE GREY LAD YE. g 

which' he has evolved, and until it be finally outgrown we 
shall be constantly reminded of our kinship to the carn'iver- 
ous occupants of the forest and the jungle. 

In silence I watch the efforts of humanity to rise, and 
were it known to the general mass of the people, as it is to 
some few, that there is a way by which to obviate the diffi- 
culty and ascend to better conditions as mortals are intended 
to do, much of this suffering might be avoided. 

There is a kingdom, unknown to and unsuspected by 
the people of the present day, where right and justice pre- 
vail, and help is promised to those who are fainting and 
falling by the wayside. This upper air kingdom keeps 
watch and supervision over the affairs of mortals. It inter- 
feres only when necessity requires its aid, and when such 
is the case, all lower orders stand aside and bow to this 
mighty power. But this assistance is not rendered unless a 
good and useful life has earned for a reward this mighty 
influence in its favor. 

Mortal man is but an atom in the sight of this heavenly 
throng — only a higher order of animal — and until animal 
propensities have been outgrown and overcome this help, to 
an} 7 great extent, is never furnished. Otherwise it would 
be time wasted to apply for it from the upper and unseen 
forces which rule this earth. 

Sadly, at times, have I watched the unequal struggle 
of a frail woman battling against the tide of adversity for 
those whom she was endeavoring to uplift and care for, 
spiritually and materially. The wants of mortals and their 
needs are two separate and distinct classes. They want 
much; they need little. When actual necessity requires, 
the needs may be supplied by application to the higher and 
invisible kingdom. "Ask and ye shall receive," is a prom- 
ise kept to the uttermost when people understand and are 



io THE GREY LADYE. 

worthy of assistance. Those who have earned the right to 
the help which may be furnished from on high, have also 
the privilege of requesting help for others who are deserving 
and in need of it. God's messengers may be found among 
mortals as well as among the invisibles. They are all His 
children, though some may have forfeited their birthrights. 
Truly among invisible things more wonders are to be 
found than among those open to mortal ken. I mingle 
silently with those assembled at the birth or death bed of 
one entering or quitting earth life. I am to be found at the 
weddings of all kinds of people. I see into their* hearts and 
discover the secret motives of their marriages, and frequently 
find true love to have the least important share in the trans- 
action. Often the union is contracted through desire for 
wealth or position, or to escape from an unhappy home and 
a life amid surroundings where love is unknown. Some- 
times, and not unfrequently, I find among young girls a 
wish to flee from the monotony of days spent in toil. In 
such cases many multiply their hardships and miseries. 
Some men marry to be petted and made much of, and wo- 
men do the same. The desire to be loved and cared for by 
one of the opposite sex is human to the last degree, and 
though the desire may be kept in abeyance or smothered 
until nothing remains that is apparent upon the surface, yet 
deep in every human heart I find the germ of love and its 
sacred longing to be loved for its own sake. I^ove I find in 
every human being. No matter how low they may have 
fallen, no matter how high they may have risen, it is the 
divine spark that may be kindled into an everlasting flame. 
It may be buried under the debris of a wrecked and ruined 
life, but it can and will be resuscitated, if not in this state 
of existence then in another. Sometime and somewhere it 
will surely find and take unto, itself its own. Oh, the ach- 



THE ORE Y LAD YE. 1 1 

ing hearts of earth's children! Angels look down and weep 
over their sorrows, which may be mitigated, as in times past, 
by a saviour. . Some are born into the world for the purpose 
of helping and uplifting their fellow beings, and when such 
are found "among the multitude all honor should be extended 
them instead of their being permitted, as they usually are, 
to suffer and die in the struggle for bare existence. See to 
it, men and women of the nineteenth century, that not one 
o% these suffering children of God be permitted to go down 
in life's battle. Angels dwell among you in mortal form, 
but your eyes have grown dim and your ears dull of hearing 
so that you cannot hear the Father call' to you to give your 
succor before it be too late. Each day some among you 
may entertain an angel unawares. Let no opportunity of 
doing good to these people of the middle class pass you by, 
for among them will be found God's messengers. Though 
clad in the garb of the flesh, they are His angels, sent here 
to suffer and to die, if need be, for the betterment of human- 
ity. You who have more of this world's goods than you 
can ever need for the gratification of your most extravagant 
desires, seek out the.se people, who may always be found for 
the seeking, and extend a helping hand to some of these 
messengers from on high. From time immemorial angels 
have quitted their celestial homes and willingly undertaken 
the Father's work. This is the reason that, among the class 
mentioned, may be found saint-like and seraphic people. 
They bear life's burdens, they endure the ills which are vis- 
ited upon them without complaint or murmur. At last, 
folding their pale hands upon their tired, worn out breasts, 
which have sheltered many an unfortunate, they die and 
make no sign. Sisters of the period, I, the Grey Ladye, 
who am a frequent visitor at your homes, call upon you to 
aid those who are too sensitive to make their dire necessities 



1 2 THE ORE Y EAD YE. 

known even to the few with whom they are associated. 
Too many of these angels in human form are struck down 
in the unequal combat. Too many are thus lost to a life of 
usefulness for others. Unselfish to the last degree, giving 
when their own needs should be supplied, parting with the 
last drop Of blood in their frail bodies that others may be 
vitalized and warmed and nourished, this which you may 
term, if you will, unselfishness to a fault, is what these 
ministers and saviours are known to have done. The Grey 
I^adye visits many homes and finds this trait only among the 
saviours of the century. Bach cycle or period has these 
martyrs, always doing their work unknown and unappreci- 
ated. Some of them, through force of circumstances, have 
come to the front and have been recognized as their worth 
became known. Others whose labors will one day be un- 
derstood and appreciated are yet unrecognized. Brothers 
and sisters, see to it that not one of these be permitted to 
struggle on without assistance. I, the Grey L,adye, who 
can see into the inmost sanctuary of every household, reiter- 
ate that no one may hope for happiness here or hereafter, 
unless they minister to the needs of their fellow beings as 
God intended they should. If you would invite the super- 
vision of the upper kingdom, if you would have your loved 
ones as guardian angels during your sojourn upon earth, 
then do unto others as you would that they should do unto 
^you. 

CHAPTER II. 

I, the Grey L,adye, make my way into the privacy of 
your dwellings. I look into your cupboards, and in many 
instances find a scanty store. I peer into a closet containing 
the wardrobe of a family, and in some cases find one decent 
suit doing the work of two or three, used by each member 



THE GRE Y LAD YE. 13 

of the family when going abroad at the call of duty or to 
church, or 011 festive occasions — if these people ever indulge 
in such. Frequently only one extra suit of underlinen 
will be found among an entire family of females who man- 
age to keep themselves in a cleanly condition. I find patch- 
ing and darning to be the rule among a certain class, who 
in this way keep up a respectable appearance; living, as it 
were, from hand to mouth. God's chosen people of every 
generation — the real children of Israel — are the toilers or 
the intelligent middle class. Each and all have their days, 
as each incarnation brings a change in circumstances and 
position to every child of earth. As the waters threaten' to 
engulf them, as the enemy (poverty or some worse evil) pur- 
sues them, God makes a way for them to pass through dry 
shod and the foe is driven back. The} 7 view the promised 
land from afar. They struggle on and on, frequently faint- 
ing and falling by the wayside and are buried in the wilder- 
ness. . Such life has proved to them, but their children for 
whom they have toiled and suffered may reach and occupy 
the promised land. Riches and perhaps an elevated position 
among men may be theirs. These children of Israel have 
often, during this life, fearful struggles; but the reward 
comes as a certain result of labor well performed. In the 
after life they view with satisfaction those for whom they 
have toiled, enjoying the well earned fruits of their labor. 
Selfishness has no place in the hearts or minds of God's 
chosen people. They are well content and find their happi- 
ness in working for others, or they would not be God's 
chosen ones. Here they sow the seed, and in the great 
hereafter they reap that which they have sown, and their 
works do follow them. 

Were it not for this class animality would rule through- 
out the land. Selfishness and greed are uppermost traits on 



i 4 THE GREY LAD YE. 

the animal plane. Were it not for this, much suffering 
among human beings might be obviated. Silently I enter 
the homes of earth's children and discover many of life's 
most secret phases. Were people aware of the fact that at 
all times they are under the surveillance of those invisible 
to mortal sight, I venture to say that the lives of many of 
them would be different. They are never alone. Bolts 
and bars cannot keep out these invisible intruders into their 
households. We go about endeavoring to alleviate some of 
the sorrow and miser}^ everywhere to be found among the 
children of earth. Have they a goodly portion of this 
earth's treasures? Then the heart aches, perhaps, because 
of the unkindness of those most dear to them ; or perchance 
death has robbed the household of some cherished idol ; or a 
rival ha x s won the love which was prized above all things. 
May be, if none of these calamities have happened, ill 
health, or the precarious condition of a loved one, hovering 
perhaps on the brink of the grave, brings to the heart sor- 
row and despair. In some homes I find a beloved son or 
daughter, or some other member of the family, slowly fad- 
ing away, and relatives watching day by day in hopeless 
agony, as the hand of the destroyer clasps the loved one 
closer and closer, until at last he bears the object of their 
fond affection away from their midst, leaving them desolate 
to mourn the untimely departure of their brightest blossom. 
In many cases the lack of means to care for the fading flower 
is the cause of this. Materia medica has at this day many 
remedies which may be employed by those whose means 
permit; but others, to whom these fading flowers are just as 
dear, have not the means to employ the remedies which 
might save and keep the loved one here to be a comfort to 
the home. 

Day by day, with bleeding hearts and anxious, tear 



THE GREY EABVE. 15 

dimmed eyes, they watch the stow progress of the wasting 
disease which carries off the brightest and fairest of earth's 
children. Surely this should not be while God's sun shines 
upon all and the treasures of the earth yet unexplored and 
undiscovered lie hidden from mortal ken. There are people 
of the present day who can be taught how to find these 
treasures, which, when found, would be a source of benefit 
to suffering humanity. A remedy for every disease which 
flesh is heir to may be found for the seeking, and those who 
find will be the saviours of their day and generation. 

CHAPTER III. 

I, the Grey L,adye, visit the abodes of vice and crime, 
trying to instill into the hearts of even the most depraved 
some of God's love and charity. Sometimes I have the sat- 
isfaction of finding that the seed has fallen upon good and 
fertile soil. Knowing that there is a spark of good in every 
human breast, it is my province to search it out, and if pos- 
sible to kindle the spark into a flame whose light may be 
distinguished by others groping in darkness. . In my wan- 
dering I find much good even among those considered the 
vilest and most degraded. No individual upon God's fair 
earth is completely and entirely bad. This I find to be the 
state of affairs. A germ of good lies hidden from the light 
of day and from the gaze of mortals, in every human breast. 
The task is to search it out, finding by patient endeavor the 
tenderest spot in .the calloused hearts of the lower orders of 
humanity. In every human being is the germ of love, the 
desire to love and to be loved by some one or something. It 
comes from God as the birthright of every soul. Not the 
fierce passion of a day or an hour, not that which attracts 
the animal nature in every form of life, but the God-given 
and divine spark of true and abiding love inherent in the 



1 6 THE GREY LAD YE. 

hearts of all men and women. I, the Grey L,adye, have 
seen the tears freely flowing from the eyes of strong men, 
hardened criminals in the estimation of the world, when the 
thought of home and family has come to the mind, while in 
seclusion they have been paying the penalty for some deed 
of outrage against the laws of the land. Crimes are com- 
mitted when the animal nature is in the ascendency. They 
are the result of ignorance rather than of constitutional de- 
pravity. In some the brain is in a defective condition. 
Many of the lower orders are incited to evil acts through 
the influence of liquor, which inflames the passions until the 
brute is uppermost for the time and the person is not re- 
sponsible for his actions; but when brought face to face 
with the result of his mad deed, he invariably quails within 
himself as the full import of his crime becomes clear to his 
sober senses and reasoning mind. The most hardened 
criminal has his hours of retrospection, when his follies • and 
vices become, as it were, a hideous nightmare arising from 
his memories of the past- Do you wonder that people are 
sometimes declared to be insane when a murderous deed has 
been committed by them in the heat and' fury of passion ? 
For the time they are so; and these people, frequently of 
the lower order, should not be executed, as they are not 
responsible for crimes committed while brute instinct or pas-. 
sion prevails. The tendency of the wild animal to slaughter 
is inherited by earth's children, and must be outgrown ere 
God's kingdom can come to reign over this world. This 
can f only be accomplished through many incarnations. As 
we progress we outgrow all animal propensities, and upon 
release from the mortal body find a brighter home in the 
beyond. 

Sisters and brothers of the higher orders of mortal ex- 
istence, those whom God has endowed with everj^ gift both 



THE GREY LAD YE. 17 

of mind and body, do not slumber while' misery hides from 
the light of day, eating its heart out because of the apparent 
injustice of natural laws. There is nothing unjust in the 
economy of nature. All will have, or have had, their op- 
portunities to rise. All will be rewarded according to their 
merits. So to those who are groping in darkness give of 
your oil, for their lamps are gone out. To help one another 
is one of the lessons taught by Jesus. Were this rule fol- 
lowed poverty would soon lose its sting, for with every dis- 
tress would come the certainty of a helping hand being 
stretched out by some more fortunate brother or sister. 

At the twilight hour I, the Grey I^adye, seek the home 
of my loved ones to guard them through the night. While 
the bodies of my dear mortal companions rest in silent slum- 
ber I teach them these truths, preparing them to lead useful 
lives both here and hereafter. 

And now I will give you a sketch of my own history. 

CHAPTER IV. 

I was the only and beloved daughter of well to do 
parents who gave me an education fitting me for any posi- 
tion in society. I was clothed in the finest raiment and 
fared sumptuously every day. I was the companion and 
friend of my dear mother, whose appearance was more like 
that of a sister, so youthful did she seem. I at times was 
as an elder sister to that mother and acted as her adviser, 
she caring for nothing in the world so much as for her 
daughter. For my sake she sought to accumulate wealth. 
For me. she desired fame and fortune, but her desires were 
not to be gratified. At the beginning of a bright career I 
was cut down as a flower before the gale. My home was 
left desolate, my parents heart broken, and- my mother in- 
consolable in her bitter grief, upon the verge of insanity for 



1 8 THE GREY LAD YE. 

many months, until God mercifully permitted my return, 
that I might be the means of saving to the world one of His 
chosen instructors to the race. My mother was a medium 
from childhood. Such are born, not made, and are here for 
a special purpose to do much-needed work upon the earth. 
There are many such, especially among the middle class 
before mentioned. From her earliest years my mother had 
been remarked as peculiar, differing from the other members 
of the family, and the term "black sheep" had frequently 
been applied to the sensitive girl who was born to suffer and, 
if need be, die for the benefit and advancement of family, 
friend and foe; to be, as tt it were, the scapegoat for the sins, 
follies and shortcomings of others. Such are to be found in 
every tribe. People are in tribes now, just as they were in 
former generations; and in every tribe belonging to the hu- 
man family, one of these martyrs may be found. Some- 
times, by force of circumstances, two will be found in one 
tribe. When such is the case it is for power among the 
nations. Some live- and die unrecognized as mediums, but 
their peculiarities are always subjects of remark among their 
relatives and friends. Were they recognized, as all such 
will be in the near future, as being different from others for 
a great and worthy purpose, were their lives shielded and 
guarded from life's storms and adversities, much good would 
result. They are mascots, and when certain laws are un- 
derstood they are able to bring prosperity to all with whom 
they are associated. Frequently they are in want them- 
selves, due to the generosity inherent in every child sent 
here for special work among mortals. To whom much is 
given much will be required, and these mediums and mas- 
cots of the nineteenth century have great responsibility rest- 
ing upon their shoulders. If all were to live in accordance 
with certain laws, the inner secrets of the earth — nature's 



THE GREY LAD YE. 19 

storehouse — would lie open to their gaze as the pages of a 
book, that he who runs may read. We run in the race, 
and many are defeated because worldly attractions or the 
indulgence of the appetites often occasion mediums to.be in- 
fluenced and finally overpowered by inferior intelligences 
who belong to the earth plane, instead of attracting those 
from above who are all powerful for good and beneficial 
results. 

I have digressed from the thread of my story to men- 
tion these important facts connected with every sensitive 
upon earth. Now I will resume my relation of my moth- 
er's experiences. After my departure she, I am told, be- 
came as'csjie dead to all in this life until my return, when 
she was impressed by me to seek the key to the mysteries 
of life and death. This gave her new life, and the constant 
longing to learn how to communicate with her loved daugh- 
ter, brought about the desired result. My mother's reason 
was saved and her life made useful to many besides those of 
her own family. This, though unknown to and unperceived 
by those mo^t interested, has not been without its results, 
as her constant and unwavering faith in the power from 
above has done much for those who are yet unaware of the 
influence exerted in their behalf. Angels look down from 
their home on high and mark the beneficial results of labor 
well and faithfully performed, and of prayers and supplica- 
tions offered morning, noon and night, for every member of • 
the family and household, as well as for those farther re- 
moved. 

My mother at this time was strongly impressed to seek 
a clairvoyant. This was a few months after my departure 
and was entirely unusual on her part. She thus learned 
something of a phase of life heretofore unfamiliar to her. 
From this she began to attend meetings and circles. Be- 



20 THE GREY EADYE. 

coming thus interested in spiritual matters and in the litera- 
ture appertaining thereto, she commenced to think of that 
other and fairer land where, she doubted not, her daughter 
had found a home. Thus the wa3^ was prepared for the 
future development of those high mediumistic powers which 
had till then lain dormant. From instruction gained from 
frequenting these spiritualist meetings and seances she 
formed the idea of trying, in her own home and with mem- 
bers of her own family, if communication might not be 
established between her daughter and herself, as well in her 
own house as in the houses of others; and though fearful 
results might have been the outcome, she met with partial 
success. There are two distinct phases of spiritualism, the 
dark and the light, and my mother was led an innocent vic- 
tim, to the darker side. For a time all seemed to go well, 
and would probably have so continued; but the tide turns 
after a while, even if these practices are willingly continued. 
Almost imperceptibly every material blessing before enjoyed 
turned to dust and ashes. All worldly goods were in dan- 
ger of being swept away. Misfortune followed misfortune, 
until kind friends from the invisible side of life interposed 
and rescued the family. Worldly goods are being restored, 
but it has required a mighty power to effect the transforma- 
tion. Had my mother been wisely instructed as to the 
proper course to pursue in order to gain the companionship 
of "Jhe daughter, who was only too anxious to be by her 
side, all might have been different and much suffering saved 
the innocent victim. This may have been permitted as a 
lesson to be given to others. It is not for us to say t>r to 
question the workings of the higher powers who rule the 
earth. 

Upon awaking from the lethargy which invariably suc- 
ceeds the release of the spirit from the body, and which 



THE GREY LAD YE. 21 

with some lasts longer than with others, I began to look 
about me and to wonder where I was. I found myself in a 
strange place and among friends who had long since passed 
from earth. My first thought was to inquire for my moth- 
er. Then I was told that I had died and had departed with 
kind friends to a far off land. I immediately desired to re- 
turn to my mother, but such was not to be for some time, 
as I needed instruction for the new life. I was not earth- 
bound, as is the case with many who pass from mortal life, 
except as to my love for my mother, which kept me from 
fully appreciating the new life. The thought of her in her 
sorrow. and loneliness made me sad and long to return. I 
found the new life very similar to that which I had left, but 
upon the whole on a much higher and more advanced scale. 
I was in appearance more youthful than when in the mortal 
body. I was the same tall and slender girl, with golden 
brown hair and velvet brown eyes. I was clothed in a soft 
grey garment, free and flowing in graceful folds to my feet, 
and was as full of life as during my most palmy days. I 
felt no effects from the distressing illness which brought my 
short life to a close, but was told that experience belonged 
to my earth existence, and that I should only feel the effects 
of my last sickness upon approaching the earth atmosphere; 
and this I found to be true. I desired very much to see the 
dear ones who I knew were grieving for me, but was advised 
to wait awhile before venturing again to earth. So in pa- 
tience I waited and at last was rewarded by being permitted 
to return, only, however, for a short visit. The journey 
was made during the silent hours, and when I saw my 
mother asleep, with sorrow over my untimely departure 
written upon every line of the dear face, I called aloud in 
my agonized efforts to make her conscious of my presence, 
and my mother heard me. I cannot express the joy which 



22 THE GREY LAD YE. 

filled my heart as I understood at once that death had no 
power to separate us. It had lost its sting. She started up 
with the exclamation: "I heard my pettie call me loudly 
and clearly!" and in the silent night she imitated the call, 
seeming to desire to impress upon her mind the tone of the 
loved voice unheard, for so long a time. Soon after I at- 
tempted to show myself to my mother, and was partially 
successful. She recognized the -face of her daughter. I 
continued my efforts, and she has seen my full form several 
times. 

My mother has devoted her life to the purpose of estab- 
lishing communication with the invisible world, hoping 
thereby to prepare herself, upon departure from the mortal 
body, to be a fit companion for the daughter who was lost 
but has been found. 

As there are different grades of society upon earth, so 
it is in the higher life. As long as loved' friends are upon 
earth, our desire is for their advancement, and we can no 
more forget them or leave them for any great length of time 
than can mortals leave their loved ones. Our griefs, upon 
separation by death, are just as real; but kind and wise 
guides care for and advise us as to the course to pursue in 
order to benefit all concerned. We thus bow to superior 
wisdom and find pleasure in being cared for and guided. 
Our home is far away from here, but duty calls and affec- 
tion makes our task a source of contentment. We find 
many suffering souls who need our attention. We comfort 
the sick, and give release to the spirit struggling towards 
departure. 

These offices devolve upon those whose home is in the, 
second sphere, which is far above the earth atmosphere, and 
it is there that I, the Grey Ladye, have made for myself a 
home. 



THE GREY LAD YE. 23 

CHAPTER V. 

In the far off country previously mentioned is a solid stone 
structure, resembling a castle of the time of Queen Eliza- 
beth. It is surrounded b}^ magnificent and well kept lawns 
and gardens, groves and orchards, where the most delicious 
fruit grows the year round. There flowers bloom and birds 
sing the livelong day. Fountains send their spray high in 
the air, while gold and silver fish bask in the sunlight. We 
enter the mansion and find the interior on a par with the 
exterior of this splended home, which is known far and 
wide as the Wanderer's Rest. There are few unoccupied 
rooms in this peaceful abode, as many weary travelers seek 
its shelter. Silken hangings adorn the walls, while pictured 
■ faces and lovely representations of field and farm are every- 
where to be seen. Soft couches and reclining chairs are 
plentifully distributed through the rooms, which invite rest- 
ful repose after life's fevered battle upon earth. Bed-rooms 
and their necessary accompaniments are here unused and 
unneeded, as these people refresh and renew themselves by 
bathing in the fresh air and the softly falling dew, thereby 
restoring their appearance from day ,to day. They have no 
kitchens or cooking utensils, because nature's storehouse 
yields a plentiful supply of fruit, air and water. Unfer- 
mented wine is here frequently used as a beverage, being 
pure; but alcohol in any form is never heard of. Every 
innocent luxury may be found. Fine and beautiful cloth- 
ing is the rule and not the exception. Different forms of 
amusement are indulged in, as innocent recreation is not 
prohibited. The grandest and most inspiring music greets 
the ear at times, when passing some building devoted to this 
heavenly art, and the most beautiful singing is an ordinary 
feature of life in this charming far-off country. Stores are 
to be found providing for the wants of the inhabitants. 



-4 . THE GREY LAD YE. 

Also schools, manufactories, and all that may be needed for 
the higher phase of existence. 

-. When the mortal body is discarded for a spirit form, 
although of the same build, this form absorbs all that is 
necessary for its sustenance. After leaving the earth plane 
all desires of an earthly tendency are cast away, and like 
birds we soar aloft, until we find the plane for which we are 
fitted. We take advantage of the air currents, thus making 
our progress easy. While thus traveling through space we 
condense the form at will and journey in groups or couples. 
These journeys are generally made when night falls on the 
land, the atmosphere being better adapted for the purpose 
at that time. At the death of a mortal (unless the life has 
been such as to preclude the presence of the higher powers) 
invisible friends and guides at once carry away the freed 
spirit for necessary rest and recuperation; but they invari- 
ably desire to return as soon as in a fit condition, and are 
usually permitted to do so, as the natural grief of mortal 
friends, as well as their own feelings, causes them to be at- 
tracted to the earth. 

I could tell of the ill effects of the despairing grief of 
mortals upon the departed, but will forbear, as it is one of 
nature's laws, arid for a wounded and broken heart there is 
no earthly remedy. God can heal all wounds, and wipe 
away the tears from weeping eyes; and when people learn 
that death need not separate those truly and spiritually 
united, sorrow will give place to contentment and sweet 
peace will reign throughout the world. 

I, the Grey I^adye, do not advocate the darker phase 
of spiritualism. It is not beneficial to the great mass of 
humanity who have life's battles to fight and life's duties to 
perform; but there is another phase of this much mooted 
question which is as different as the dawn of morning is to 



THE GREY LAD YE. 25 

the blackest midnight; a spiritualism that will bring peace 
to the aching and hungry heart; which will attract the 
higher forces to your aid, and bring to you the silent and 
invisible companionship of those whom you have loved in 
the past and have not lost. 

Not dead, but gone before, 

To a fairer world than this; 
I've gone to make a home for you 

In realms of endless bliss. 

The frail and suffering body 

I wore a few short years, 
Was but an outer garment; 

So, mother, dry your tears. 

Could you but see the spirit, 

So lovely, bright and fair, 
That ever hovers near you 

And gently strokes your hair, 

In the still silence of the night 

I sit beside your bed, 
And whisper words of hope to you, 

And soothe your aching head. 

I'm never far away from you; 

You know it, mother dear; 
It gives me joy to hear you say, 

My little girl is here. 

So, mother darling, dry those tears; 

I'm always at your side; 
And never will I leave you, 

Till we cross the silvery tide. 

There is a brighter world than this, 

Where death can never come; 
We'll live in joy together, 

In our sweet heavenly home. 



A Ghost Story. 



BY ONE OF THEM, 



CHAPTER I. 

OF all words in the English language, the word ghost 
seems the most uncanny, the most fearful. What 
is a ghost ? As denned by Webster in his dictionary 
it is the soul of a departed person. But all ghosts are not 
such. Some are not possessed of souls, as will be explained 
later. 

Why ghosts should be generally feared and disliked I 
do not understand, except upon the principle that we dis- 
like that or those whom we fear. Our garment or body is 
more etherial than that of mortals, and therein only do we 
differ from the visible inhabitants of earth. Call me a ghost 
if you will, but I have the same feelings, the same likes 
and dislikes, the same desire for all that makes life worth 
living that I ever had; but the crude covering which was 
mine during my career as a mortal has gone to dust, and 
with the body which is now mine I soar aloft as inclination 
prompts. We do not like the word ghost, but there is much 
which transpires and which we are compelled to witness 
that we like still less, so we do not murmur. We see our 
places in hearts and homes usurped by others, true and 



28 • A GHOST STORY. 

faithful affection being rare among mortals. There is much 
to cause sadness among the class called ghosts. Oh, mortal 
friends ! learn a lesson from a ghost who has been such for 
many years and who still lingers near those who were dear- 
est while a resident among you. Do you imagine that so- 
called death changes the nature and feelings as well as the 
outer covering of the spirit ? It has but cast off its garment 
(worn out perhaps) to don a new and finer robe. 

A husband loses by death a wife, but the loss is only s 
such to the external senses. She is continually attracted 
back to her home and to those whom she loved. Is the 
home broken up ? Then she follows the loved one to his 
new abode, flitting in and out, as inclination or duty 
prompts. 

We of the invisible world have duties to perform for 
mortals, being better adapted for instructing and caring for 
our mortal friends than are those farther removed. We are 
able to come into closer contact with them. We receive cer- 
tain instructions, which, when the time is ripe, we impart 
to mortals. We see our places filled by others, and in time 
learn to endure this with patience, knowing that true love is 
eternal, and that death cannot sever those who are spiritu- 
ally united. In dreams we frequently make our presence 
felt and known, but to the waking senses we are rarely vis- 
ible. Worldly cares and duties intervene, and it is difficult 
for us to penetrate the coarser or earthly side of a mortal. 
It is his spiritual side that we approach at night, thus in- 
structing and guiding him. Ghosts love and desire to be 
remembered with affection, and repay such with the most 
tender and faithful love. We learn many things unknown 
to and unsuspected by mortals, and now I will tell you some 
of my experiences, which may be rightly termed a ghost 
story. 



A GHOST STORY. 29 

I was the youngest and best loved child of a widowed 
mother who had been left to struggle for a livelihood since 
I was a mere infant. There were two other children, only 
a few years older than myself. This helpless family was 
reared by the efforts of a frail mother, in a manner to do 
credit to her earnest work. True, we had a hard struggle 
at times to keep our heads above water, with only one pair 
of delicate hands to toil for our maintenance, but He who 
cares even for the sparrows sent friendly aid to the proud and 
high spirited mother, in a manner which did not detract 
from her independence and self respect. More ways than 
one were opened by which she was enabled to care for her 
young family . Friendly hands were often extended to keep 
them from want, without wounding the pride of the sensi- 
tive mother, whose love for her small and helpless family 
kept them together until some were able to assist in procur- 
ing them a respectable livelihood. All this happened many 
years ago, when immigration had not reached its present 
status, and many branches of employment were open to wo- 
men, with better pay for less work than is the case at the 
present day. My family was blessed in having a Christian 
mother, whose conduct and watchful care kept her little 
ones from inferior associates whose example might Jiave 
been detrimental. As time passed and they grew to man- 
hood and womanhood employment was found for those 
who were capable, but I, the youngest, was unable to toil 
for my daily bread. Among mortals this is not uncommon, 
some being born for higher positions than seem open to 
them. Had my mother been aware of this fact, and that 
her children were capable of filling some of the higher posi- 
tions in the land; and had this been instilled into their 
minds, and education afforded with this result in view, all 
would have been well, and much sorrow and suffering been 



30 A GHOST STORY. 

spared those most interested. Instead they were compelled 
to drudge, as it were, from morn till eve, with scant pay for 
their labor, in order to help the delicate mother, whose 
health had been undermined by constant and uncongenial 
labor. 

One after the other married and left the home until I 
only remained, a companion to rny mother, who clung to 
me the more. y I assisted, as best I could, in making the home 
comfortable, until I also found a partner. I still resided at 
my mother's house, but things were changed. I had made 
a mistake in my choice, as many others have done. Of sev- 
eral suitors I had chosen the one least likely to make a per- 
son constituted as I was happy. He would have been a 
loving and tender mate to. a congenial partner, but we were 
utterly unsuited to each other, and too late discovered our 
error. Such mistakes occur in this crude world, but are 
rectified in the great beyond, whither all are journeying. A 
few years only elapsed when I was mercifully called home. 
Unknown as to my real self by most of those among whom 
I dwelt during my earthly life, and unappreciated by the 
one whom I had chosen as a companion, I gladly awakened 
to another and richer life upon the other side. Here I found 
kind and appreciative friends, who willingly undertook my 
education and cared for me as a little child, while the neces- 
sity lasted. 

Dear and faithful friends, my heart throbs while I write 
of your kind offices to one so ignorant and forlorn. My 
mother was inconsolable at my loss. Her heart broke when 
I was taken, if ever mortal heart could break, but time heals 
all wounds, and after years of sorrow she found a kind part- 
ner who was sent to her in her loneliness. 

I have been a constant inmate of my sister's home for 
many years, and have appreciated and been permitted to 



A GHOST STORY. 31 

share in the instruction sent to her from on high for a good 
and wise purpose. In visions and dreams has this faithful 
sister frequently seen those who have departed to the far-off 
yet ever near-by shore. A thought can reach us wherever 
we may chance to be, and if necessit}^ calls we obey the call 
at once, no matter where we are. We haunt, as it were, 
the abodes of our nearest and dearest, as while they remain 
upon earth our happiness is not complete. We aspire to 
higher conditions, but in our aspirations are included those 
most dear to us. This keeps us here prisoners, as it might 
be called, but only to the law of love and attraction. We 
visit other localities, but only as mortals pay visits of longer 
or shorter duration. Dear mortal friends, those who have 
lost, as you believe, those most dear to you, never think 
them lost, but only changing their garments for more ethe- 
rial robes. The cause of our being invisible to you rests 
with yourselves. We grow finer with the change, while 
you remain the same, with no higher aspirations, with no 
desires beyond the things of this life, which is only one step 
on the onward journey, one round of the ladder which all 
must climb in order to reach God's kingdom. Ghost I am, 
if such you choose to term me, but there are those to whom 
Ave are welcome guests. We carry to other climes much 
that is valuable and useful in a new and crude world. Jour- 
neying through space, in a manner of which mortals have 
no conception, we learn much which is unknown to the 
present occupants of this planet. A ghost can tell man} T 
secrets, one of which is that this part of the world is built 
over the ruins of an ancient city far surpassing that of the 
present day. That which has happened before is liable to 
happen again, at no very distant period. The predictions 
of the Bible are not for one generation, but in the fulness of 
time each cycle brings the change requisite for the progres- 



32 A GHOST STORY. 

sion of the human race. A ghost can tell of floods- and 
earthquakes in the past which will be duplicated in the 
future by the fiat of the Almighty. The twentieth century 
brings many changes in its train, and those whose spiritual 
understandings have been opened will avoid many pitfalls. 
All may be thus favored, as God is no respecter of persons. 
All have the right to instruction as they become fitted for 
it, but to develop the understanding the appetite must be 
curbed. Starvation is not recommended, but certain articles 
of food are impediments to high spiritual instruction. Thus 
to sparingly partake of some, and entirely to eschew others 
is necessary for spiritual enlightenment. God speaks to 
mortals in many ways. He imparts instruction through 
those of lower degrees or advancement, and a spiritually 
enlightened person may take a lesson from every living ob- 
ject. 

Apparitions have been heard of and seen by mortals 
from time immemorial. Such being the case there must be 
some truth in the stories told of such appearances. Fre- 
quently exaggerated no doubt they are, but these stories 
have their origin upon legitimate grounds. There are peo- 
ple whose inner or spiritual nature has been unfolded early 
in life, beings differing largely from the common order, 
who can see into the spirit world, which Iyongfellow truth- 
fully says ''floats like an atmosphere about this world of 
sense." Many of these people have two distinctly separate 
sides to their characters. They are dominated at times by 
the higher nature, when a higher world becomes open to 
them as the pages of a book. At other times they are gov- 
erned by a lower self or nature which temporarily shuts out 
these visions and leads them into wrong doing. This is a 
frequent cause of men and women going astray, or falling 
into evil ways. Were these people to live entirely in the 



A GHOST STORY. 33 

spiritual, life here would be of short duration with them, 
but it is considered essential for the welfare of others that 
such should not be the case. The body worn as a shelter 
or covering for the spirit must be preserved in order to help 
forward the progression of the race. God speaks to His 
people in this manner through inspired writers and lectur- 
ers, and has done so since the world began. There are 
many such who, fearing ridicule, keep silent regarding these 
manifestations. The lower or more ignorant class would 
not benefit by this knowledge, and as that which is called 
spiritualism has been brought into disrepute by a misguided 
few, others who claim to be such must take the conse- 
quences. The innocent suffer with the guilty, as is ever 
the case among mortals. 

The Bible tells of appearances which must have be- 
longed to the unseen world. It speaks of angels appearing 
to men, of the voice of God being heard guiding and direct- 
ing certain individuals. Why may not such be the privilege 
of mortals at the present day, provided that their lives are 
in accordance with divine law? To keep the command- 
ments day by day would bring about a new era for man. 
Ghosts, so called, may be seen at times by some, but they 
cannot be made to order. Certain conditions favorable to 
such appearances must prevail. The atmosphere is filled 
with shades or the cast-off garments of those who were once 
mortals. All classes of earth's inhabitants shed their cover- 
ings at certain seasons. As the bird sheds his plumage and 
the animal his coat, as the inhabitants of the watery element 
shed their outer coverings, so does mortal man as well as 
the higher or spirit man shed his garment from time to time, 
as the season for such change arrives. This necessitates a 
corresponding change in the life and surroundings of the 
higher animal man, and also in the spirit world among the 



34 A GHOST STORY. 

invisible population. Among mortals there is either pro- 
gression or deterioration. It is an unchanging law of nature 
that if the aspirations are high there is progress both mate- 
rially and spiritually. If of an opposite character, they go 
to the ground from whence they came. There are periods 
in the lives of mortals when their own wills either make or 
mar them. 

The shades or forms frequently seen by those who have 
clairvoyant sight are oft times these cast off garments previ- 
ously mentioned, held together for^ a time by the law of 
attraction. The 3^ at last dissolve into the atmosphere. 
They are soulless and differ from a real spirit, who is a liv- 
ing soul, capable of instructing and guiding mortals. In 
the aura of every human being are pictured representations 
6f thoughts and actions. Like the snail that carries his 
house, all his belongings upon his back, mortals carry with 
them pictures of all their thoughts and actions, and he who 
runs may read. These can be discerned by those who have 
clairvoyant sight, and also by the residents of the invisible 
world. Every thought and action is exposed to view. 
Were people upon earth generally aware of this, how differ- 
ent would be the lives of many. In the world invisible to 
mortal sight symbols are, to a great extent, used instead of 
talking, or thought trans ference is made use of instead of 
speech. These modes of conveying information are under- 
stood by the inhabitants of that world, and are readily 
learned. , 

Now I desire to speak of a much maligned class of peo- 
ple, those who profess to be materializing mediums. Before 
doing so I, as a ghost, with a mortal as the medium of com- 
municating my thoughts to the world, desire to say that 
the writer is a skeptic upon this subject; that notwithstand- 
ing various demonstrations tending to confirm a belief, she 



A GHOST STORY. 35 

is a firm disbeliever in such results being possible. With 
her seeing is not believing, as she has had proof sufficient to 
satisfy the most skeptical, yet doubts the evidence of her 
own experiences. I desire to say that it is possible, and is 
frequently done to convince people, that spirits can be ma- 
terialized so as to become visible for a time. In the atmos- 
phere may be found the spirit of every visible object upon 
earth. These may be brought together in a mass b}^ those 
who understand. The life or vitality necessary for the form 
is supplied from that of the medium. In days of old these 
forms were frequently seen and conversed with. Search the 
Bible for proof of such demonstrations. 

Were these manifestations productive of beneficial re- 
sults to mankind those of the higher world would not object. 
But of what use is it to waste in such pursuits time and 
money which might be employed in a better manner, by 
being devoted to cultivation and education for higher life 
and work ? We refer to those of the invisible world as well 
as to mortals, for their time is as valuable as is the time of 
those visible. I desire to say, while upon this subject, that 
in order to clothe thoughts in appropriate language one 
must be gifted with power from on high, and also have a 
suitable education. True, a person may be controlled as a 
medium, and be used by another to voice his ideas, but the 
inspired writer or lecturer is not controlled. He must have 
the facilities within himself. 

"Drink waters out of thine own cistern and running 
waters out of thine own well. ' ' Some of the experiences 
which have been mine since becoming a ghost would per- 
haps interest people, and I purpose giving a few of such for 
the benefit of those interested, and who will recognize the 
ghost by the narration thereof. 

Some time ago, a brother being ill at the home of his 



36 A GHOST STORY. 

sister, she frequently remained up at night to attend to him. 
Upon several occasions he plainly saw my form and heard 
me speak. At times I gave the impression that I was his 
mother, who was hundreds of miles away, and I conveyed 
her thoughts and wishes to him during his illness. Fre- 
quently I sat by his bedside, endeavoring to quiet and soothe 
him, which I was capable of doing. At times I appeared 
covered with flowers, at others clad in grey. We can 
change our appearances at will, when we have been in- 
structed- by the higher powers who rule the earth and who 
care for ghosts and mortals alike. Sometimes I knock at 
my mother's door in her far off home, in the silent hours, 
personating whom I will. It makes no difference so long 
as the message is conveyed, which is done while the outer 
senses are locked in slumber, the spirit being ever wakeful 
after being once aroused from the lethargy which usually 
enchains the spirits of mortals until such awakening takes 
place. Thus we are made useful by the powers who rule, 
and thus are messages conveyed by ghosts or the spirits of 
those who were once your mortal friends and associates. 

To a spiritually unfolded person we can make ourselves 
understood during the waking hours, when proper condi- 
tions prevail. The atmosphere must be undisturbed in order 
for even those to see us or to receive instructions such as we 
are capable of giving. The person must also be quiescent 
as to mind and body. Were people to understand the laws 
which govern such intercourse a mine of wealth would be 
open to them, as we of the ghost world are cognizant of 
many matters unknown to the people of the present day. 
We can tell of riches undiscovered by this generation, and 
which may remain so unless a medium be found who can 
receive certain instructions from the unseen world not usu- 
alty vouchsafed to mortals. Such a person can also be in- 



A GHOST STORY. 37 

structed concerning the medicinal qualities of many plants 
which are now considered worthless, but which have in them 
power to restore suffering humanity to the enjoyment of life 
and health. 

We of the ghost world are ever anxious for the good of 
our mortal friends. When they suffer we suffer with them, 
and when they rejoice we too are happy. In our world we 
plan many things which are afterwards perfected by mortals. 
We give the ideas, they carry them forward to completion. 
We see their wants and necessities, and it is our happiness 
to assist them in their efforts for advancement, both spiritu- 
ally and materially. A good and useful life will bring to 
mortals crowds of invisibles of the same nature. So will 
the opposite have an opposite effect. Ghost or spirit life is 
a very busy life to those who have received the necessary 
instruction and education. Mortals are not capable of car- 
ing for themselves without aid from the unseen world, which 
is bestowed alike upon all, according to the ability they have 
developed for utilizing it. Their own efforts in time bring 
about the desired result, and they attend, as companions 
and helpers, those that uplift or drag down, just as their 
own lives dictate- As all are no doubt aware, night is the 
time when the inhabitants of the ghost world are most alive 
and awake. Could mortals behold them as they are at that 
time they would be surprised at the similarity to their own 
lives which is everywhere apparent. Ghosts flit to and fro 
noiselessly and earnestly intent upon their several missions 
and occupations, rarely lingering by the way as is the cus- 
tom with those of the visible world. The atmosphere at 
night is in a more suitable condition for their purpose than 
during the din and turmoil of the day. The ghost world is 
a literal fact, as many people of advanced intelligence have 
discovered. But to dabble in hidden mysteries ignorantly, 



38 A GHOS T S TOR Y. 

without the requisite preparation and education, is danger- 
ous. 

In this invisible ghost world are many secret phases 
never yet unfolded to mortal ken. Much that has been at- 
tributed to the denizens thereof is a force entirely apart from 
those who once dwelt here as mortals, and which is harmless 
except as to its influence upon the thoughts. To live in 
accordance with God's laws is a sure safeguard against every 
inferior human being, mortal or spirit. But there is an ele- 
ment in nature which can work injury to the thoughtless 
trifler who calls to his aid those from the invisible kingdom. 
Ignorant of all law, ignorant as to feelings of humanity and 
kindness to each other, living as do the animals, yet en- 
dowed with more power than man, this element is at times 
invoked by mortals in their eager search after the unknown. 
With wise and good instruction this could be made available 
by the inhabitants of earth, as many of those most advanced 
in occult knowledge have discovered for themselves. 

We of the invisible world live in your houses. When 
so disposed we dine at your tables and accompany you on 
your journeys, but we do not tip tables or make noises. 
These things are clone by the element above mentioned. 
We can make ourselves felt by impressing your minds, and 
sometimes call to our aid the element spoken of; but we 
who are endowed with this power receive it from God as did 
Jesus in his miraculous work long ago. In order to do such 
work, though in lesser degree than did Jesus, the life must 
be one of purity, above all animal thoughts or desires, and 
one devoted to work for the benefit of all mankind, irre- 
spective of nationality, creed or color. To be endowed with 
power from on high, each must be enabled to still the tem- 
pest within himself and say to the winds and waves raging 
there, "Peace, be still." 



A GHOST STORY. 39 

CHAPTER II. 

We of the ghost world are your constant and ever faith- 
ful companions and helpers. Without this kind and watch- 
ful care man would play but an insignificant part upon life's 
stage. Hampered by the body of flesh he would be unfit 'to 
cope with the invisible forces which go to make up life upon 
this planet. Spiritually blind and deaf would he be be- 
cause mortal man as such is not cognizant of the spirit 
world (which floats as does the atmosphere all around and 
about this visible or material plane) or of its inhabitants. 
This fact is well known to the advanced thinkers of this day 
and generation. In the dim and distant future a new people 
will arise from the ashes of the old, who will make of this 
earth a paradise as God intended. Man is driven from the 
garden of Eden only by his own folly and ignorance, and 
by the useless and indiscriminate indulgence of his lower 
senses. To keep God's laws is all that is required in order 
to attract all that is good and beautiful. The indulgence of 
appetite caused the fall of the first occupants of the globe. 
Although the story of the original sin of our first parents is 
allegorical, yet it teaches a truth, tending to show to the in- 
habitants of earth, of every race and generation, what it 
costs to disobey divine law. These Bible stories convey les- 
sons which, if rightly understood (as they are by few of the 
present day)- and applied to the daily lives of earth's chil- 
dren, the benefit to be derived therefrom would be incalcu- 
lable. 

The indiscriminate indulgence of appetite in every form 
causes the spiritual blindness and deafness of mortals. 
Were the appetites restrained, spiritual unfoldment would 
ensue as a natural result, and man would become the lord of 
the soil, with all the lower kingdoms subservient to him. 
Then there would be no poorer class, as God's earth yields 



40 A GHOST STORY. 

bountifully for the benefit of His children. It is only spir- 
itual ignorance which causes the misery of a portion of man- 
kind. The unfoldment of the spiritual senses would pro- 
claim men to be gods, as the secrets of nature would be dis- 
closed to them, and with the power thus acquired nothing 
would be impossible. Slaughtering for food is a relic of 
barbarism, and were the practise of murdering animals for 
this purpose abolished a new era would soon dawn and be 
felt and appreciated by every intelligent dweller upon this 
globe. No one would steal from his neighbor or fellow-man. 
No one would kill his brother man, as such practices having 
been abolished with regard to animals, man, the superior 
animal, would outgrow the tendency to deeds of violence. 
This will all come to pass in the future. Then liquor drink- 
ing, another form of indulgence in appetite, will also be 
banished from the earth. We need not pine for the far off 
home, as heaven would be upon this globe if mortals chose 
so to have it. It is only will power — the power of mind 
over matter — which is needed to accomplish this much 
wished for result, and the garden of Eden will be in your 
own houses and homes. We of the ghost world endeavor 
to help, as far as we are able, the prospects of those entrust- 
ed to our care by those who rule the earth ; but it frequently 
becomes a hard task when many forces are pulling in oppo- 
site directions. It is like rowing against the tide; but we 
never despair, and with patience and perseverance find the 
reward, as those always do who endeavor to do right. When 
once the right current is reached success is assured. There 
are so many influences at work, invisible to mortal eye, 
which tend to drag down, that our constant efforts are re- 
quired in order to uphold. We find much to do for mortals 
whom we care for, but our happiness lies in being useful to 
others. 



A GHOST STORY. 41 

In years to come, when mortals will be sufficiently ad- 
vanced to appreciate the efforts made to enlighten them on 
hidden or spiritual matters; when such efforts are not met 
with ridicule by those who ought at least to respect, if they 
cannot believe or approve; when this comes to pass our la- 
bors will produce a salutary effect upon the children of earth. 
True, there are those who through deep and earnest thought 
and good useful lives have arrived at knowledge hidden 
from the masses, but it requires the earnest co-operation of 
the invisible world in order to enlighten those who have 
sufficient intelligence to receive instruction but are still 
groping in ignorance. The darkness of past ages still over- 
shadows many of the best minds, and to these spiritual en- 
lightenment must come. It is slowly being instilled into 
the intelligence of a certain class, whose teachings will, in 
time, benefit others. The field is large, the workers are 
few. In the time of Jesus people were ignorant, more so 
than those of the present day can realize, and his instruc- 
tions were given to fit their undeveloped capacities. Babes 
require different food to that given to strong men. When 
the inhabitants of earth understand that the history of their 
world is plainly written in the surrounding atmosphere, and 
that the intelligent portion of the ghost fraternity are capa- 
ble of reading this history, perhaps they will give more cre- 
dence to the prophecies of the seers of their age and genera- 
tion. We of the ghost world are capable of imparting to 
those who now populate this earth, information which can 
be obtained in no other way, and to those who are worthy 
this shall be done. 

I will now give to the writer the necessary assistance to 
enable her to remember certain portions 'of her own history. 
As all who are sufficiently advanced are aware, this life is 
only one step on the onward journey. Many such lives 



42 A GHOST STORY. 

have we lived in the past, and many others are still in the 
future. Do you suppose that one puny existence, such as 
you are cognizant of, is sufficient to fit you for the life be- 
yond in a higher phase of existence ? Not by any means. 
We may compare our lives to a tree or a hardy plant — a rose 
bush for instance. We plant the tiny tree, and the first 
year it bears probably only a few leaves. The following 
year a few roses bloom. Each succeeding year the supply 
increases until hundreds may be gathered from the bush. 
It is the same with fruit trees and with all plant life. Why 
not with the more important life of the human being ? We 
commence our human lives very low down in the scale. He 
who runs may read it in the different races, and in the dif- 
ferent classes of each race. You may see gradual develop- 
ment in every race and class of people upon earth. If men 
would only understand, how much might be learned from 
every living object upon the face of the globe; and were 
they to live in a rational manner, knowledge would come to 
them as they became fitted for it. Far away in past ages 
the writer has certain recollections of different lives. 
Amidst her present surroundings glimpses of former splen- 
dor occasionally portray themselves, as also do memories of 
more lowly lives, which sometimes make their influence felt. 

She has occupied the highest position in the land of a 
far country, and she has toiled in a menial capacity for her 
daily bread and the shelter of a roof over her head. Truth 
is stranger than fiction. Some day these lives will be re- 
called to memory in full, and written for the benefit of 
future generations. There are few upon earth at the pres- 
ent day whose memory has been thus awakened so that 
former lives, such as mortals least dream of, can be added 
to its storehouse. 

When the time arrives for such revelations, but few 



A GHOST STORY. 43 

will be found who will give credence to the strange story. 
Ghosts endowed with power from on high are capable of 
arousing certain recollections in the brain of a mortal, pro- 
vided the life of such a one is in accordance with certain 
laws as we have previously remarked. But when the brain 
is filled with worldly matters to the exclusion of higher 
thoughts, this cannot be done. A quiet and harmonious 
frame of mind is required, and this is found to be rare 
among the race. The continual struggle for place and posi- 
tion prevents spiritual unfoldment, and appetite does the 
rest. These are the great drawbacks to the rise and pro- 
gress of humanity. 

• The ghost of a mortal who has recently departed from 
his house or temple of the physical body is capable of assist- 
ing those remaining in their fleshy tabernacles in several 
ways, more so in a material sense than those who have been 
long residents of the invisible world. As we outgrow our 
earth conditions we become more adapted for spiritual teach- 
ers than for giving assistance in material or business inter- 
ests. But there are always others coming over to take our 
places while we rise higher in the scale, as those should al- 
ways do who are attached to us and to whom we are at- 
tached. As we ascend we endeavor to draw our friends 
after us, spiritually as well as materially, and it rests with 
themselves as to our success in this endeavor. We aid to 
the best of our ability; we do not force or drive. We give 
the stimulus, the impression, which it is their office to take 
advantage of. 

We ghosts who possess living souls do not haunt grave- 
yards in the sense imputed to us by those unversed in the 
laws of spirit. We are the guardians, protectors, teachers 
and helpers of the race. But there are such to be seen at 
times, merely the shadow without the substance; the cast- 



44 A GHOST STORY. 

off garments of those who have ascended higher, which are 
attracted for a time to their old haunts or to the place where 
lies the decaying body. This law of attraction obtains to a 
great extent among those invisible to mortals, and only will 
power can counteract its effects. When this law is under- 
stood it may be made useful in many ways, but in order to 
do this a strong will and unwavering courage and determi- 
nation are necessary to those visible and invisible alike, or 
dire results may follow. 

The pernicious practice of placing dead bodies in the 
ground has a most disastrous effect upon those who are thus 
placed after becoming denizens of the invisible world. By 
many the ill results are experienced for a long time. When 
people become more spiritually enlightened the universal 
practice of cremation will naturally follow. Burying the 
dead in the earth pollutes neighboring streams as well as 
the atmosphere, which frequently carries the germs of dis- 
ease from the grave to the habitations of the living, and 
thus death succeeds death with terrible rapidity. It has 
been frequently observed that when one member of a family 
dies another speedily follows. It may often be traced to 
this cause, especially when there has been much visiting 
and weeping over the grave. A strong constitution may 
withstand all such influences, but they must be baneful to 
those who are worn and weary with grief and care. Spirit- 
ual enlightenment must come at no distant day. The 
masses need wise and intelligent teachers who are in a posi- 
tion to declare ideas which will bring light to those now 
groping in the darkness of ignorance. The crusaders are 
once more in the field, preparing for the battle of might 
against right. It is in the atmosphere. They who are for 
us are greater than those who are against us. An invisible 
army is gathering, from the four quarters of the globe to 



, A 'GHOST STORY. 45 

protect and uplift the down- trodden children of Israel, and 
through their efforts enlighten the world. Many who read 
this prediction will not live to see this as mortals, but in 
their new and more exalted, life will rejoice when it comes 
to pass. Paradise will be regained, and peace and plenty 
will reign throughout the land. Ghosts, so called, will 
then be welcomed in the hearts and homes of earth's people, 
for they will be known as they are. Not as ogres to be 
feared, or terrible shapes to be disliked and avoided or spok- 
en of only in fearful whispers, but by the new-born genera- 
tion accepted as kind and beneficent guardians or good 
fairies, able and willing to help in soothing the sorrow or 
rejoicing in the happiness of mankind. The twentieth cen- 
tury will bring all this in its train. A new order will be 
inaugurated and the Bible will be understood and appreci- 
ated at its true value. The teachings of Jesus have in a 
manner fallen upon a waste and barren soil. They are not 
understood as they should be. Were they so understood, 
his example followed, and his instructions applied to daily 
life and use, want and misery would be unknown, crime 
unheard of, the earth would again bloom as a Paradise, and 
all enjoy a garden of Eden. 



A Ghost Story* 



CONTINUED. 



CHAPTER I. 

I AM the so-called ghost of a man who dwelt here many 
years ago. Were I to give the name I was then known 
by there are those yet among mortals who would recog- 
nize it, though many have passed over to the great beyond 
and are still my companions in misery.. Upon the earth in- 
visibles find the Purgatory so often mentioned by Roman 
Catholics. It is a truth, as are many of their beliefs, of 
which I shall speak more fully hereafter. We pay the pen- 
alty of a misguided life both in the mortal and after we have 
passed out of it. Our follies bring their own punishments. 
God's laws must be obeyed, or the results of our disobedi- 
ence will follow and sometimes cling to us for ages, until we 
have worked out our own salvation. Jesus died for the sins 
of the world, in one sense, but his death cannot help the 
man who does not .help himself. In no way can mortals be 
helped, except by showing them the way to help themselves. 
Jesus came to show us the way. He, through the ignorance 
and superstition of the people of those days, was murdered, 
as have been many others, though in a different manner. 
The baneful effects of a misspent life follow and affect a 



48 A GHOST STORY. 

ghost until he has lived down all earthly desires and con- 
quered his lower or animal nature. The allegory of the first 
occupants of the land has its analogy in the life of every 
human being, as those who are spiritually enlightened have 
discovered. The story of Adam and Eve had its foundation 
in human life as it is and has been through many ages. 
Men toil and struggle for a livelihood because their appe- 
tites demand it. The animal life will not down, and thus 
man is kept in bondage to his lower self. He digs and 
delves to supply t:he demands of appetite in every form. He 
devours the flesh of beast and bird to appease his own car- 
niverous propensities. Until the desire for flesh food is 
overcome man will continue to be a carniverous animal, and 
in the next life the results become manifest to his compan- 
ions. We carry the prominent traits of our lives here de- 
picted there upon the spirit form. This thought should 
restrain those who are addicted to practices which degrade 
humanity to the brute level. In my former existence I un- 
fortunately contracted the liquor habit, which grew upon 
me until I was its slave. It caused sorrow and misery to 
my wife and family and lasting grief to myself. It was the 
means of separating me, early in life, from a beautiful and 
interesting family, whose future prospects were blighted by 
the vile habit indulged in by one who should have been 
their protector. Many years have elapsed since this oc- 
curred, but from my position on the hither side I still view 
with sorrow the results of a vile and degrading habit upon 
those who should have been cherished and protected by the 
husband and father who might have raised them to the 
highest position in society. I see them among uncongenial 
surroundings, in a sphere of life entirely unsuited to their 
natures and characters, toiling in uncongenial occupations, 
in almost menial capacities, having at times many hard 



A GHOST STORY. 49 

struggles to keep their heads above water. All this I am 
compelled to witness without the power to alleviate, as 
ghosts cannot do more than whisper wise counsel in the ears 
of those who .understand, and instruct when opportunity 
offers. But our ministrations are oft times vain. Fre- 
quently our whispers fall upon dull ears. Mortals strug- 
gling for a livelihood cannot always be reached by invisible 
friends and instructors, as so many worldly cares intervene. 
I note the efforts to rise above my present conditions and 
surroundings without the power to extend the helping hand 
which is needed for success. 

While mortals dwell upon earth the story of the Garden 
of Eden is re-told in every life and re-enacted by each gen- 
eration. Every temptation is brought to bear upon those 
who endeavor to reach the promised land. This is done by 
those invisible to mortal sight, who are beneath us in the 
scale of progression. To penetrate the mysteries of the 
kingdom at once proclaims man a master, and the lower or- 
ders of animate life, feeling their rule ended, bow to him in 
submission. These facts are well understood by a certain 
few who have gained the knowledge through suffering and 
privation which not all are able to endure. The body, at 
times too frail, succumbs and the mortal is ushered into a 
new life, where his education continues. From far off 
climes come the instructors of the race. When one is of a 
sufficient degree of spirituality, such are attracted, as the 
laws of attraction hold good among mortals as among those 
who are invisible. When night falls over the land these good 
and wise men of the east journey hitherward, and with 
words of wisdom and mystic symbols unveil to the chosen 
this hidden law. They are only too glad to be enabled to 
do the Master's work- To those versed in the higher laws 
these journeys taken by the spirit of man while the body 



5 o A GHOST STORY. -0 

lies quiescent in slumber are well understood. Only some 
of us travel in sleep. Many are too closely united to the 
body of flesh to be able to extricate themselves at will. This 
requires long practice and careful guidance, or the connect- 
ing link might be broken, and the spirit being unable to 
regain possession of the body, speedy death would follow. 
These journeys are a source of immense satisfaction to spir- 
its permitted thus to visit other and fairer worlds, where 
they learn many things useful to them in the future. Spir- 
itually minded persons sometimes find knowledge thus 
gained of great advantage to them while still resident on 
earth. It requires the memory to be awakened, which is occa- 
sionally done, when the scenes of these travels will be seen 
to lie like pictures in a book. One day the great book of 
life's toils and struggles, now safely hidden in memory's 
storehouse, will be opened for the inspection of every human 
being. 

This is found to be necessary in the new life towards 
which we journey. Bach new incarnation is added as we 
travel on. In years to come, when man will be less of an 
animal and more spiritualized, to awaken these memories 
will be a less difficult task and he will be enabled to progress 
more rapidly. The thus awakened memory will then be- 
come a mine of wealth, as the knowledge of past ages will 
be available to the intelligent portion of the rising genera- 
tion. 

I return to my story. In a fit of anger, under the vile 
influence of liquor, I embarked on a long and dangerous 
voyage, and when I came to my right mind was far out at 
sea. Too late I discovered the mistake that I had made and 
became aware of the rash and foolish deed that I had done. 
My family were almost helpless, the little ones not much 
more than infants, the youngest an infant indeed. The 



A GHOST STORY. 51 

health of the delicate mother had already been undermined 
by the care of her young children and the condition of nerv- 
ous anxiety in which she had been constantly kept by the 
habit which had grown upon me until it became a case of 
periodical debauch. When sometimes I had come to my 
sober senses, with provisions and money gone and I unfitted 
to attend to business, I had resolved that such should never 
occur again; but when the time came round the returning 
appetite would prove stronger each time and I became again 
a disgusting inebriate for weeks at a time. The habit thus 
indulged became stronger with each indulgence. During 
the intervals between these debauches I was happy with my 
little family and would cheerfully labor in order to make 
them comfortable. From boyhood I had a fondness for the 
sea and when quite young began my life on shipboard, rap- 
idly advancing until I became, through my own efforts, fit 
to command a ship. When I married I considered myself 
settled for life as a landsman, but a longing for the bright 
blue sea and its care-free and happy life frequently made 
itself felt. Still I would think of my family and put the 
thought aside, until that fatal day which separated me for 
ever from those whom I so dearly loved. 

Oh, my lost happiness ! Oh, to recall my past life and 
to live in the bosom of my innocent family to shield them 
from all harm ! Gladly would I labor as a slave to uplift 
those I have wronged and to place them beyond the strug- 
gling and toilsome life which was theirs because of the dis- 
graceful practice of a misguided husband and father. If 
my wretched life could atone for all that has happened 
through my fault, gladly would I endure a thousand deaths 
in order to repair the wrong which has made itself felt 
through the years which have elapsed. The trail of the 
serpent may be seen through many generations and there is 



52 A GHOST STORY: 

no family upon God's fair earth without this taint. Care- 
fully hidden as it may be, we of the ghost world can discern 
where mortals are blind. 

I remained for many months in a lowly condition, for I 
had shipped in my intoxicated state as a common sailor; but 
Providence provided a way out of it. I met with an acci- 
dent, fortunate in one sense, but which left its results upon 
me for life. I was placed in a hospital in a strange country. 
For long and weary months I there abode, unable to help 
myself. For many more months I was unfitted for labor of 
any kind. At last, almost penniless, I was able to leave the 
shelter where I had time to think over my sad condition, of 
my wrecked and ruined life, and of the family perhaps 
brought to want through the intemperance of one who was 
well able in his sober moments to provide for them bounti- 
fully. Sometimes from chance acquaintances I gathered a 
few words of information concerning their condition, but 
these were rare occurrences, not reliable, and long after the 
events above related. After some years I learned from a 
relative of my wife, who was sworn to secrecy as to my 
whereabouts, that she was doing as well as could be expect- 
ed, and longed for a word from her unfaithful partner. That 
she was in no danger from want; that she had been able to 
keep the family together, and that her natural business abil- 
ities had enabled her, though not without a hard struggle, 
to provide them with comforts and education. So I waited 
in silence to accumulate riches, which I desired for the fam- 
ily whom I had abandoned. I formed attachments, but 
never by marriage with another separated myself from the 
wife of my youth. It was always my intention to return to 
her and with the fortune which I should have acquired place 
her and my children where I felt that they had a right to 
be. Thus I waited for long years, but as fast as I accumu- 



A GHOST STORY. 53 

lated, something always seemed to interfere against my ear- 
nest efforts to gain a sufficient sum of money to return 
home. Fate seemed against my going back as I desired. 
After many years I hungered for a sight of my family, and 
though with a slender allowance, scarce sufficient for my 
needs, I started on my homeward journey, working my way 
in order to husband my resources. I arrived in my native 
land a miserable wreck of "the young and handsome man 
who had departed so long ago. I was old in years and 
older in appearance, with a halting gait, as the accident 
referred to had left its mark, and' I determined if I found 
my family not to make myself known. There are those 
since passed to the beyond who saw and recognized their 
former friend and companion, but being requested to keep 
silence they promised, and the promise was kept. 

The City Directory is a wonderful help to strangers as 
well as to residents who may desire to find friends, so of 
this I availed myself each time the necessity occurred. One 
can go as a tramp, beggar or peddler to a door, and if per- 
sistent will find those whom he seeks. These were the 
methods employed by myself to see and have a few words 
with those to whom I was still attached. I conversed with 
the different members of my family upon many occasions, 
but the desire to make myself known did not obtrude itself, 
as no good to either could accrue from it. I was too proud 
to become a burden where I had failed in my duty as a pro- 
vider. I remained for a few weeks near those who were 
my former relatives, and after assuring myself that I was 
incapable of aiding them in any way, and that to make my- 
self known would only cause embarrassment to those most 
dear to me, I once more bade adieu to my native, land, sail- 
ing away as I had come, unknown and uncared for. I had 
brought this upon myself and there was no one else to blame. 



54 A GHOS T STOR V. 

By indulgence of appetite I had cut myself off from family 
and friends and made myself an exile. 

Krom that time I frequently embarked on shipboard, 
and in the course of a few years, during one of those voy- 
ages, life as a mortal came to an end. The ocean had been 
my home, and the ocean was my grave. 

On the shore of an unknown sea, 

Loved ones' watch and wait ; 
With shadowy hands they beckon me, 

As I near the heavenly gate. 

Its waters are not deep and wide; 

No storms above itTOar; 
"Tis a softly flowing silvery tide, 
, And beyond lies peace evermore. 

When Death o'erspreads his sable pall, 

And we are called to go from here, 
We gladly may obey the call, 

And hasten to that far off sphere. 

We need not fear, for God is love; 

He'll watch us on the way, 
And guide us to the realms above, 

Where beams an endless day. 



A Bouquet From the Spirit WorlcL 



CHAPTER I. 
Flowers of Thought From the Invisible Side of Life. 

FOR many years I have made my home in the spirit 
world, but attracted frequently to the earth plane and 
to those who were my nearest and dearest while a 
resident among them. We throw off our mortal covering 
as we lay aside a garment, but we do not cast away all our 
earthly desires and tendencies with our old and worn out 
clothing. Our great desire upon gaining the other side is 
to be fitted for becoming useful to those whom we have left, 
and also to comfort them in their sorrow over our departure. 
In order to do this we must progress beyond the earth plane, 
as otherwise our capacities would be very limited. An 
earth bound spirit, or spirit of the earth plane, has compar- 
atively few opportunities of aiding mortals. Many are desi- 
rous of obtaining an education for themselves, as progression 
is the watchword among all intelligent spirits. They have 
many duties to perform, as indeed have all upon entering 
the new life. We must be clothed and protected until able 
to care for ourselves, and a new-born spirit is incapable of 



56 A BOUQUET FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD. 

thus providing for himself until instructed. In the invisible 
world may be found all that is used by mortals, but upon a 
higher plane. Spirits can make use of all these, but they are 
intangible to mortals, and that is why that which they use 
cannot be used by us. The moving and lifting of articles of 
furniture and also all noises are produced by another force, 
entirely different from the ghosts of whom we are writing. 
To explain this will be the task of another, one who is bet- 
ter able than myself to expatiate upon this subject. 

In passing suddenly from the body, almost in full 
health, I found myself quite unprepared for the great 
change. Having been comparatively healthy during my 
life here, I had never given much thought to the next life. 
Enjoying my existence here, as do many others, had the 
choice been given me I would have remained perhaps for 
many years longer. On the bright morning on which I re- 
ceived my summons the thought of death or transition was 
far from my mind. Though lingering in an unconscious con- 
dition for several hours, there were intervals of partial con- 
sciousness when I knew those about me. The dearest of all 
was a little child who I knew would sadly miss me. At 
times I regret having been removed, principally upon her 
account; but I have been the guardian of this little girl for 
many years, watching over and as far as possible caring for 
her. Several times the attempt has been made to place her 
in a position where the powers lying dormant within her 
might be cultivated, but each time unsuccessfully, certain 
forces intervening to prevent until the loss of those near and 
dear gave the desired opportunity. Mediums of a high or- 
der are born for this work, and to such will be intrusted the 
saving power for the good of all mankind. A pure and 
childlike love for all God's creatures is the certain passport 
to His kingdom. 



A' BOUQUET FROM THE SPIRIT WO RED. 5 7 

When night draws her curtain round, 
Friends once lost may then be found; 
Though lost to sight, they're ever near, 
To cheer the hearts of mortals here. 
Do not believe us far away; 
We share your homes from day to day, 
And gather in your quiet home, 
When the shades of evening come. 

CHAPTER II. 

As a resident of the spirit world for several years I de- 
sire to add to the bouquet a few flowers of thought from my 
own garden. I was the first born and dearly loved son of a 
mother who, during my short stay upon earth, made me her 
idol. In my boyhood, instead of seeking companions of my 
own age, I clung to my mother and cared more for her soci- 
ety than for any youthful pleasures. Older than the years 
which I had lived would warrant, I was quiet and studious. 
When the time arrived for me to leave home and enter the 
world of business, I was so averse to the thought of quitting 
my mother that the family left their country home and be- 
came residents of the city. Here I became attracted to the 
social J side of life through family connections and friends, 
though my mother still continued to be the dearest object 
on earth to me. Among the visitors who frequented my 
home was a 3'Oung girl, some few years my elder. She 
seemed at once attracted to me, and although receiving but 
slight encouragement, became almost my shadow, paying 
the most delicate and winsome compliments and always re- 
serving for me a place at her side. Flattered by this pref- 
erence, and being encouraged by my family as well as by 
her own, in the course of time I became attracted to her, 
and being often under her influence imagined that it was 
love which caused me to seek her society, instead of the 



58 A BOUQ UE T FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD. 

dawning passion which wrecked my life at last and left me 
a disappointed and sorrowful man. I found when I had 
made her my wife, which was what she sought to be, that 
there was no love upon either side. She was an ambitious 
woman, desiring to unite with a family whose circumstances 
were in advance of her own. My family were wealthy, 
while she was poor and not handsome. Soon after the mar- 
riage a child was born. This did not tend to increase our hap- 
piness. During the illness of the mother, disappointed and 
chagrined at the duplicity of the woman I had made my 
wife, I became the lover of the youthful maid who was em- 
ployed to care for the household. She was the tempter, 
and I, unloved by my wife, fell an easy victim to her wiles 
and allurements. My wife became cognizant of the state of 
affairs and immediately .sought the advice of a lawyer, who 
counselled separation and an application for divorce. It 
went by default, as I did not appear in defense, and she was 
a free woman with a young child who was really fatherless, 
as I never acknowledged the child, though feeling a tender- 
ness for it because of association. In order to avoid the 
expense of providing for a family which did not belong to 
and had actually been forced upon me, a lucrative and hon- 
orable position abroad was procured for me. I remained 
until ill health caused me to resign my position and return 
to my home and the loved mother who was yearning for the 
companionship of the son so dear to her. Being wrecked 
on the homeward voyage did not improve my condition. I 
arrived v a mere shadow of the stalwart man who had been 
absent less than two years. In the meantime my former 
wife had formed an attachment for another. Soon after my 
return she married. Thus my entire freedom was accom- 
plished, much to the satisfaction of myself and family. 

The child born shortly after the marriage passed away, 



A BOUQUET FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD. 59 

so no claim upon me could possibly be made. Not having 
fully recovered from the ill effects of my residence abroad, 
and weak from the hardships consequent upon my voyage 
home, I employed the time in recuperating my health and 
in amusement. Not having a family to provide for my 
wants were few, and these were generously supplied by the 
fond mother, who was only too happy in having her son 
again by her side. During my travels I had met many fair 
women who looked kindly upon me and who would gladly 
have shared their wealth with me, but the terrible mistake 
of my youth had made me shy of the sex and I cared for 
no woman but the dear mother. One memorable day a 
trifling affair called me to a neighboring city, and it was 
while returning home that a circumstance seemingly of no 
moment at the time changed the sour, morose man into an- 
other being. 

"Two shall be born the whole wide world apart, 

And speak in different tongues, and have no thought 

Bach of the other's being, and no heed; 

And these, o'er unknown seas to unknown lands 

Shall cross, escaping wreck, defying death, 

And, all unconsciously, shape every act 

And bend each wandering step to this one end 

That one day, out of darkness, thejr shall meet 

And read life's meaning in each other's eyes." 

I met an individual who was returning apparently from 
a visit to the same city where I had been passing a few 
hours. This person and I were the only occupants of the 
car which was wending its way to the ferry, fiy an irre- 
sistible impulse I turned and addressed a few words to the 
party, who was sitting a short distance" from me. She (for 
the person was a woman) responded in .a friendly and lady- 
like manner, and a conversation ensued which continued 
until the car arrived at the ferry, where we took the boat 



6o A BOUQUET FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD. 

for the city where both resided. I obtained permission to 
escort her to her home, promising myself that I would see 
more of one to whom I was so strongly attracted. Not 
on account of beauty alone, for I had found many women 
fairer than she ; but a strange uncontrollable impulse caused 
me to desire to learn more of a woman who was more than 
attractive — magnetic, people call it. I was driven by a 
power beyond myself to write almost immediately to her, 
and for a few weeks was in a fair way of again becoming a 
happy man; but a severe attack of illness, which lasted sev- 
eral weeks, rendered me miserable both in body and mind. 
During my sickness her form and face were continually be- 
fore me. As soon as my strength permitted I hastened to 
her side. Many happy hours were thus passed, and gladly 
would I have taken her to my heart as a dearly loved wife, 
but there was already a claimant upon the life of the only 
woman in the whole world whom I desired to make my own: 
I could have educated her and given her a position in soci- 
ety, in which she would have become an ornament and 
leader; but it was not to be. Had not death intervened the 
consequences might have been serious. She was wedded to 
a man who, though kind and good, was her inferior in every 
respect, and the love was only upon his side. She, although 
a good wife and attentive to the family and household, had 
not the love of a wife for the man to whom she was tied by 
the law of the land. But there are other lands where such 
a union may be dissolved, as God has nothing to do with 
such mistakes. It was a mistake made in the ignorance of 
youth. The children, to whom she was devotedly attached, 
were the great barriers to a separation, which idea often oc- 
curred to the lonely man who had found the love of his life 
only to learn that unless death intervened she could never 
in this world belong to him. Night and day this preyed 



A BOUQUET FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD. 6 1 

upon my mind until at times I was almost bereft of reason, 
and then I would hasten to her side and for a few happy 
hours forget my misery. This love was my life and it was 
returned as I desired. Whenever I found a few hours of 
leisure, as I was then in a lucrative position, I hastened to 
the beloved one, rinding my only happiness in so doing. Ill 
health again forced me to resign my position, and with the 
hope of regaining health and vitality I resolved to take a 
short trip on board a vessel, in which being the only passen- 
ger I could rest and perhaps recover my strength, for life 
was again attractive to me. During the voyage my 
thoughts constantly turned to the woman who made my 
happiness. I resolved to return on the first opportunity 
and not complete the voyage as had been my intention, but 
I was again laid upon a bed of sickness, from which I never 
recovered, and died far from the mother who loved me, and 
from the object who had been my first and only love and 
who was bound to me by ties that even death could not 
sever. 

During my lucid moments (for I became delirious) I 
was constantly thinking and talking to the captain' of the 
ship of my loved one and pining for her presence. Far be- 
yond the affection of a son for a dear mother was this great 
and entire love which filled my being to the exclusion of all 
other. When death came to end my suffering it was not to 
the home from which I had departed to which the freed 
spirit hastened, but to the home of my heart's idol. From 
that time to the present her home has also been the abode 
of my choice. By development and progression through 
the years which have elapsed since my departure from the 
mortal, I have gained the position of guide to the loved one 
who since my entrance into spirit life has ever been my 
charge. I have never desertsd my post or changed in the 



62 A BOUQUET FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD. 

affection which has held me her willing prisoner for so 
many years. She holds me by a golden chain — the chain 
of true and perfect love; which knows no wavering or 
shadow of change and which will, last through all eternity. 

On the walls of memory painted, 

In letters of silver and. gold, 
I find among pictured faces 

One word. It is centuries old. 
I find it where'er are assembled 

The young as well as the old; 
I hear it in. cot as in palace; 

"Tis whispered by warriors bold. 
More precious than gold or silver; 

More potent, this sacred gem, 
Than the mystic lore of all ages; 

More value than king's diadem. 
This word of only four letters, 

With its power of tongue and pen, 
Is heard among every nation; 

Is used by all classes of men. 
Oh, Love, with thy silken fetters ! 

Oh, Love, with thy golden chain ! 
In every heart find a welcome, 

A cure for all sorrow and pain. 
The youth, the sage, the maiden, 

The savage across the sea, 
All go to make up the picture 

In the halls of memory. 



My Little Lady* 



SHE was a chubby little girl about three years old at the 
time my story commences, the second child and only 
daughter of the household, so she reigned in her sweet 
and gentle way in the hearts of those who composed the 
family until removed by death to a higher life and home. 
Sad though sweet memories crowd my mind on this mid- 
summer day, memories of the sweet little girl who too soon, 
alas ! was gathered among other fair flowers to bloom in 
the garden of the Lord. 

Dear little lady, my eyes fill with tears as I think of 
your sweet and winsome ways. Shall I never see your 
sweet face again ? Is this life all except those vague shad- 
ows which seem not to speak, but are pictured upon memo- 
ry's walls, only to be seen for a time, then to vanish as 
morning approaches? Oh, my lily, my sweet spring blos- 
som ! I know it is well for thee, and for thine own sake 
would not recall thee; but my heart hungers and thirsts for 
the sunshine of thy bodily presence and cries that it will 
not be satisfied until called to share with thee thy home. 
Man}?- suns have risen and set since God took thee from a 
world* too bleak and cold for thy abode. Gone to a fairer 



64 MY LITTLE LADY. 

land, where spring blossoms may be gathered all the year 
round. 

Dear little lady, with her peculiar ways and quaint 
phrases ! Could we only look into the future when we 
have our garden full of these blossoms, which are only 
loaned to us for a season ! But God knows best and per- 
haps mercifully veils from us the future, while He gathers 
these blossoms to grace another garden or household. In 
dreams and visions I sometimes behold my little lady as 
a sweet and innocent child, then again as a tall and grace- 
ful maiden, grave and wise, though always tender and 
sweet. To other mothers thus bereft I send out my 
thoughts in loving sympathy. These blossoms loaned for a 
season from God's garden are His messengers, bringing us 
glad tidings, though we are too worldly, too much engrossed 
with the cares of this world or the amusements of this life 
to heed the divine messengers. Were we to live in accord- 
ance with the higher laws, these angel visitants, sent to 
lead us home, would be understood and appreciated. Every 
household has one Or more of these messengers. Some reach 
mature age, others are gathered home in early life. God's 
ways are inscrutable and not to be questioned, but we may 
find peace in the assurance that it is for a wise purpose that 
these flowers are taken from our garden to bloom above. 
My little lady was wise beyond others of her age. It was 
frequently remarked that she would not live long, but she 
did arrive at the age of womanhood. Throughout her whole 
baby life she Was unselfish, kind and generous. She was 
also gifted in a very remarkable manner. No task was too 
difficult for her to perform, no lesson beyond her capacity 
for committing to memory. Music was a passion with her, 
and her sweet singing voice was like that of an angel. Dear 
little lady, with your sweet, soft contralto ! I can almost 



MY LITTLE LADY. 65 

hear the lovely voice as I write. My little lady liked dolls 
and books, and to play as did other girls of her age, but as 
she grew older developed a fondness for recitation, some- 
times in German dialect, and was in great demand for the 
purpose at different gatherings, where she was duly appre- 
ciated and applauded. Shall I describe her as a child ? A 
round face, with soft, straight, light hair, eyebrows brown, 
large dark eyes with dark brown lashes, a plump form, and 
sprightly as a kitten. She was the idol of two grandmoth- 
ers, one of whom passed away at the time my story com- 
mences. She loved and was beloved by her associates. She 
was tender and kind to animals and the helpless, and took 
pleasure in caring for them when permitted to do so. Being 
a proficient performer upon the piano, instruction in singing 
was added to this accomplishment and her lovely voice found 
suitable expression. # She desired to be educated for a public 
life and received instruction with that object Jn view. When 
graduated from the dramatic school a position was found for 
her with a traveling company, and with an aching heart I 
saw her depart for a tour through the country. In my 
anxiety for her safety and welfare I placed her in charge of 
every member of the company, all of whom promised to care 
for her. God cared for her, though I neglected to ask Him, 
and He brought her home to me innocent and pure, though 
in failing health. The illness was not due to her trip, as 
she had, when about sixteen years of age, contracted scarlet 
fever in some manner unknown to herself or family, which 
left her in delicate health . Her throat was the cause of the 
illness which at last obliged her to leave the company and 
return home. Kvery means was resorted to in order to save 
the precious life, but without avail. She drooped and faded 
as the flower before the blast. 

I desire to mention that it was the intention of her fam- 



66 MY LITTLE LADY. 

ily to permit her to go upon this tour for the purpose of 
gaining a name and position, which could only be done in 
this way. After this was accomplished they felt that she 
would be able to command instead of sue for an engagement. 
She was successful from the start. She had grown to be a 
stately maiden, tall, and fair as a lily, with golden brown 
hair and velvet brown eyes, just as sweet in character and 
disposition as in appearance. She lived only three months 
after her return, surrounded by the most loving care and 
tender attention. She never kept her bed, but from day to 
day, until the very last, endeavored to appear stronger than 
she really was. 

To the sorrowing and bereaved mothers who have lost 
by death a loved child, a dearly loved son or daughter, 
grown to the age of young manhood or womanhood, per- 
haps an only one, my heart goes out in tender sympathy 
and I would say that those loved ones have only been re- 
moved from your waking senses. They are not lost, but 
gone a little while before. When night falls over the land, 
in visions and dreams we may meet and know our own and 
receive consolation in the thought that we must not selfishly 
grieve over the good that has come to them sooner than to 
ourselves. Just as those who have passed to the beyond re- 
joice when good comes to the friends whom they have left 
upon earth, so should we rejoice instead of grieve. In the 
good time coming all will meet in the great beyond, where 
there is no sickness or sorrow no sin to mar the complete 
happiness of God's people, the children of Israel. 



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